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* 3:01 pm: From AFSCME Council 31…
At the wrap-up of today’s negotiating session between AFSCME Council 31 and the Rauner Administration, the Governor’s representatives said they would refuse to participate in any further bargaining sessions and claimed that negotiations are at an impasse. AFSCME executive drector Roberta Lynch rejected that claim and said the union is prepared to continue to negotiate.
Lynch issued the following statement:
“We are shocked that the Rauner Administration would walk away and refuse to continue negotiations. The Governor’s rash action invites confrontation and chaos — it is not the path to a fair agreement. The people of Illinois deserve leadership that is focused on working together and getting things done, not someone who demands his own way or nothing at all. With no state budget to fund the public services that Illinois residents rely on and no union contract for the men and women who provide those services, the last thing the people of Illinois need is another manufactured crisis from a governor unwilling to do the hard work of compromise.
“In reality, there is no impasse between our union and the Rauner Administration. Until the final minutes of today’s meeting, both parties continued to exchange proposals on many issues. There has been no hint that the administration would simply refuse to continue to negotiate. If they will not return to the table, our union will take legal action. It is a violation of state labor law for a party to declare impasse where none exists.
“The parties do have areas of serious disagreement. For example, the administration wants to double employee’s costs for health care, making the state’s health plan the worst in the nation for any state workforce. It would also would freeze wages for four years, which coupled with its huge hikes in health costs would take money from the pockets of working families. Our union believes that public-service workers, like all working people, deserve wages that can sustain a family and health care they can afford. We also disagree with the administration’s insistence on eliminating safeguards that prevent unfettered privatization of public services.
“Despite our differences, AFSCME remains committed to finding common ground. We’ve been successful in reaching fair agreements with every Illinois governor of both parties for the past 40 years. But that can’t happen if the Rauner administration refuses to remain at the table and negotiate.
“As a candidate, Bruce Rauner repeatedly threatened to impose his extreme demands and force a strike in order to do so. That’s why unions representing state employees backed legislation to provide for arbitration as an alternative means of reaching a fair agreement. When the governor vetoed that bill, he pledged to work in good faith to reach a settlement—a pledge he has broken today.
“Public-service workers in state government keep us safe, respond to emergencies, protect kids, care for the most vulnerable and fulfill countless other essential functions in every Illinois community every day. They deserve a governor who respects the work they do and who will work in good faith to reach an agreement that’s fair to all.”
*** UPDATE 1 *** According to the tolling agreement, this matter now goes to the Illinois Labor Relations Board, which will decide whether or not an impasse exists. Click here.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Lance Trover…
“Today marked the 67th day of negotiations with AFSCME. Like every previous session, AFSCME rejected all of the Governor’s core proposals and insisted that they would never agree to those proposals despite our good faith efforts to address union concerns.
“In light of that position, our negotiators asked AFSCME if they believed we were at impasse. If so, both parties signed a tolling agreement establishing a Labor Board process by which that determination can be made. AFSCME insists that the parties are not at impasse while rejecting the offer for additional sessions next week.
“After a year of no meaningful progress, we must now evaluate the benefit of future sessions given AFSCME’s intransigence. In light of their answers today, we will now decide if the previously-agreed dispute resolution process should be considered.”
The administration also has a chart which “summarizes the status of the negotiations with AFSCME, while comparing it to its previous contract and the contracts the administration has already reached with 17 other unions representing state employees.” Click here.
…Adding… Re-reading the Trover statement you’ll see that the governor has not yet formally declared an impasse. That’s an important distinction here. The governor now has to decide whether to take this to the ILRB.
*** UPDATE 3 *** Press release…
Democratic State Representative candidate Tony DelGiorno, who is vying for the 99th Illinois House District, issued the following statement and called upon the Governor to return to the bargaining table and lift his unreasonable demands.
I am disappointed that it has come to this. It has been clear since the Republican gubernatorial primary in 2014 that the Governor has a hatred for public servants and the unions that represent them. One year after his inauguration, we are on the verge of a lockout or a strike – either of which fails to serve the taxpayers of Illinois. This all or nothing politics is not serving the people of Illinois well. Governing is best done when both sides work together to serve the people. No one side has all the answers. I urge the governor to continue working with AFSCME to reach a compromise. Had enough of our representatives had the gumption to override of the Governor’s veto of the union arbitration bill, we would not be in the situation we are today.
Nothing yet from the appointed incumbent, Rep. Sara Wojcicki Jimenez (R-Springfield).
*** UPDATE 4 *** The administration notes that AFSCME has canceled next week’s scheduled bargaining session, not the Rauner people, which is significant here.
*** UPDATE 5 *** From AFSCME’s Anders Lindall…
No bargaining dates were scheduled for next week. The administration asked very late if we could meet then but our committee was unavailable. Instead AFSCME offered to meet at any time in any of the following three weeks.
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:01 pm
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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It is Friday… You drop news like this on Friday.
The Rauner Crew knew AFSCME would release this…
So, Friday, after 3? Perfect for the Governor.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:03 pm
Too busy touring their new office space, Roberta, to keep negotiatin’
Comment by Juvenal Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:04 pm
Good, when can we break the UNION?
Comment by Tone Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:05 pm
Remember that letter that Rauner wrote in September to legislators just before the veto override saying he wouldn’t (and couldn’t) declare an impasse? I know I do.
Comment by Skeptic Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:06 pm
Ok question to those in the know. (acknowledging that this has never happened before) Now What?
Comment by State Engineer Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:08 pm
==deserve a governor that respects the work they do=
Barking up the wrong tree there. If your earnings come from the government (tax dollars) you have nothing to offer, you’re only a taker……..doesn’t matter that you save lives or help others. Hey—-what do other people matter, anyway, right? Plenty of them to go around. Only way to get respect is to be one of the predator class, preying on and making mountains of money coercing it from unsuspecting others. snark.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:09 pm
As an aside,
Dear AFSCME members,
If you live in a District with a Raunerite running in March with opposition, that will be your chance.
Vote. Accordingly.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:09 pm
AFSCME loving how they got their press release out first to try and control the message. Now they will be waiting for Rauner to respond. But it’s Friday afternoon. I think with AFSCME’s first full work week in the last three weeks they must have forgotten it’s Friday afternoon, not a Tuesday.
Comment by Almost the Weekend Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:11 pm
Ugh.
Ok, - Tone -,
Tell us all how, and how that will help with a Primary coming up?
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:11 pm
@Skeptic, I remember reading that and the first thought that entered my mind was that he would eventually go back on his word. This is one reason why the Legislature and the Governor are having trouble reaching agreements on important issues. When dealing with people trust is important. The Legislature learned early on that the Governor was not a man who could not be trusted.
Comment by The Dude Abides Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:12 pm
BVR again goes back on his word. If anyone is surprised, I’ve got a bridge in Brooklyn I’d like to sell you.
Comment by Notorious RBG Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:13 pm
===Now What?===
Not much. Everyone will be too afraid to strike. And if they do strike, they won’t go to work and won’t get paid. Rauner will still be Rauner. The state doesn’t have a budget, so there is no need to try to get these people back on the job (other than the massive humanitarian crisis that results from this, but we all know he doesn’t care about that). Every time Rauner ups the ante, apathy is replaced with lethargy. And we are one step closer to an election which results will probably keep us deadlocked.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:13 pm
Surely we’ll get an ****Updated x1**** from the superstars before EOD.
::pops popcorn::
::F5, F5, F5, F5, F5, F5::
Comment by Johnny Pyle Driver Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:13 pm
As if this isn’t already ugly it’s going to get much, much worse.
Comment by Stones Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:15 pm
We knew this was coming.
Comment by Norseman Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:17 pm
Sorry, I was wrong. I reread the letter, he didn’t say he wouldn’t (or couldn’t) declare in an impasse, he said he couldn’t impose a “Last and Final” contract. However he did say that an impasse had to be agreed upon by both parties.
Comment by Skeptic Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:19 pm
Which superstar suggested the timing of this? Rauner didn’t even have the good sense to continue negotiations through the primary.
Comment by AC Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:20 pm
===Which superstar suggested the timing of this? Rauner didn’t even have the good sense to continue negotiations through the primary.===
Yep.
Labor Movement,
March is your first hurdle.
Vote. Accordingly.
If Labor, after nearly a year, and this move before March can’t get their act together, Rauner will beg November to come to finish the job on Labor, then go after others.
Questionable timing for sure.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:23 pm
Bwaaaa haaa haaa!
Go ahead and strike AFSCME. The public will love that… Rauner too.
Comment by Anon2U Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:23 pm
Anon2U: Who said AFSCME wants to strike?
Comment by Skeptic Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:25 pm
The thing that I find odd is that CTU wants to declare and impasse, but can’t do it unilaterally. The Governor can?
Comment by Carhartt Representative Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:25 pm
I assumed this wouldn’t be until March or April. I also assumed any changes in the contract wouldn’t likely take place until 7/1/16. Is that likely? Health insurance wouldn’t change until then right? It being the state’s fiscal year I’d think employees would be locked into their current plan until then.
Comment by Robert the 1st Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:27 pm
“Ok question to those in the know. (acknowledging that this has never happened before) Now What?”
Tolling agreement says this has to go to the labor board if both parties don’t agree to the impasse.
Comment by There is power in a union... Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:27 pm
The fight to the death is on!
Comment by Omega Man Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:27 pm
AFSCME won’t strike, they’ll force a lockout.
That’s the play.
Rauner, leaking close to $9 billion in debt, no budget, abd locking out Union agency workers… before an election.
If anything, being locked out now will help AFSCME, especially in Labor, with trades waiting to see how Lincolnshire and RTW plays…
Or did we all forget about Lincolnshire?
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:28 pm
Was it getting too hard for the administration to negotiate? Isn’t this part of his job?
Quitter. No one likes a quitter.
Comment by 360 Degree TurnAround Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:28 pm
If there’s a threat of a lockout all the way up to March…
Then a lockout, with the occupation of Illinois Government by the National Guard, hard to blame Madigan, lol.
Speakers don’t negotiate with AFSCME on their contract.
Speakers can’t call up the National Guard to replace Union workers…
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:31 pm
Why in the world would Rauner lock them out? This goes to labor board, then Rauner offers “last and best.” It goes back to labor board, they approve it. Union has to vote to strike or accept. What am I missing?
Comment by Robert the 1st Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:34 pm
I can tell you honestly, I’ve never been more proud of the fine Illinoisans I work with. We are jacked up and ready to go! Local 1805 Orange WILL BE SEEN AND HEARD!!!!!!!!!
Comment by Honeybear Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:38 pm
Robert the 1st
You’re missing the appeals and lawsuits…it’s the Illinois way.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:39 pm
==Why in the world would Rauner lock them out?==
Why would he not submit a budget? There are many things Rauner has and has not done that make me say “What the Rauner, Rauner?”
Comment by HangingOn Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:40 pm
Didn’t a Rauner flunky just get appointed to the LRB? The same guy who pushed through a shady teamster contract for the governor? The same guy whose son was clouted a 100k+ per year job with the state?
Just a rumor I heard.
Comment by Trolling Troll Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:42 pm
=You’re missing the appeals and lawsuits…it’s the Illinois way.=
Oh I know it will take forever. But those appeals go to the labor board, which Rauner has stacked in his favor. This thing was lost with the failed veto override. Someone please correct me if I’m wrong.
Comment by Robert the 1st Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:42 pm
To the Update,
That’s what’s next. So, now the rubber is hitting the road, and if you’re confused, this is the part where “elections have consequences” fits in, and March is less than 70 days away.
Not a day to waste.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:45 pm
-Tolling agreement says this has to go to the labor board if both parties don’t agree to the impasse.-
The Labor board is now controlled by Rauner with the Coli betrayal.
Comment by Honeybear Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:46 pm
Time for Springfield stores to stock up on 5Xl t-shirts in orange.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:47 pm
An impasse here. An impasse there. Pretty soon State government just withers away.
I say let the federal government take over the State of Illinois.
Comment by Sir Reel Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:50 pm
With the public, Rauner starts way ahead v. AFSCME. They don’t have a large natural constituency like teachers or public safety govt employees. He has a long way to go with irresponsible, unfair, or destructive behavior before it turns on him. Sad but true. Wisconsin replay.
Comment by walker Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:53 pm
I ain’t crossin’ no picket line! Why anyone who doesn’t like a union would take a union job just doesn’t make any sense to me. I’m ahead on my mortgage and been saving since July. BRING IT ON!
Comment by Union Man Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:54 pm
Local 1805 is the reason I’m fair share,
Montgomery and Caumiant.
Comment by Roadapples Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:55 pm
What’s all the ORANGE talk… is AFSCME’s color no longer green?
Comment by Robert the 1st Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 3:58 pm
“What’s all the ORANGE talk… is AFSCME’s color no longer green?”
Locals do their own shirts. Seen all the colors…
Comment by There is power in a union... Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:00 pm
- walker -
I think you ha exthis gaged fairly well, but the mitigating factors of the RTW in Lincolnshire and an election happening simultaneously with this move, if Illinois Labor blows the March Primaries, then the Wisconsin parallels will be very visible.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:01 pm
“have this gauged”
Apologies
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:02 pm
Other unions have reached agreement. Why not AFSCME?
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:05 pm
Anon @ 4:05 - how can you agree with someone who says you should slit your own throat?
Comment by Homer J. Quinn Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:07 pm
Is AFSCME being offered what the other unions agreed to, with the same parameters?
Hmm.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:08 pm
“Other unions have reached agreement. Why not AFSCME?”
Plenty of other unions have not reached agreement. And not everyone is being offered the same thing.
Comment by There is power in a union... Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:09 pm
A strikenor lockout will give union members lots of time to work for campaigns.
Comment by Union Dues Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:10 pm
=== … despite our good faith efforts to address union concerns. ===
“Good faith” is not something I’d attribute to Rauner.
Comment by Norseman Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:11 pm
To Lance,
===Like every previous session, AFSCME rejected all of the Governor’s core proposals and insisted that they would never agree to those proposals despite our good faith efforts to address union concerns.===
“AFSCME? Will you take this or leave this… today… No?… Ok”
Elections have consequences. Good luck AFSCME. March is around the corner. That’s your best shot.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:12 pm
But that darn ol’ Quinn sure learned his lesson, huh?
– MrJM
Comment by @MisterJayEm Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:15 pm
OW, you keep saying March is around the corner, other than Sam McCann, who I like very much and hope wins, who exactly is ASCME supposed to back in March that will have their best interests at hand? I’m looking at the contested primaries, and I’m not seeing it.
Comment by Jaded Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:16 pm
Rauner trolls out in full force today.
You think state govt is inefficient now? Wait until you start hiring the lowest bidders. Rauner is destroying downstate Illinois and most Republicans could care less so long as they have an R in the executive mansion.
After the dust settles and Rauner has gutted unions and state services, who are Republicans going to blame then when the fiscal problems of the state STILL aren’t fixed?
Comment by Old and Tired Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:16 pm
-Anonymous-,
Different deal to the other (small group) unions that did not include the ‘decimate health insurance’ requirements and the ‘destroy union membership’ stipulations in the one offered to AFSCME.
Some of us see the other union deals as temporary ‘loss leaders’ intended to publicly mask the unreasonableness of the proposal made to AFSCME.
Comment by RNUG Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:17 pm
Anonymous at 3:09…. inspecting inmates is a way that state employees “only take” from tax payers? State employees pay more for the operation of IL GOVT than any other segment. You don’t really know what you’re talking about, and we’d all be better off if you wouldn’t.
Comment by Union Man Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:19 pm
===But that darn ol’ Quinn sure learned his lesson, huh?===
- @MisterJayEm - wins.
- Jaded -,
Ask Labor who they are working for in March and I’m sure they can tick off a few races they feel they will have an impact on in March. They are out there, I’ll let them speak to that.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:20 pm
–Good, when can we break the UNION?–
Tone, you’ve got it all wrong. The governor has said repeatedly that is not the goal of any of his labor proposals or actions.
What kind of governor would lie about such a thing?
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:23 pm
@MisterJayEm/OW
What about those of us who tried to stay informed and held our noses when we voted for Pat Quinn because we knew that he was better than the alternative? What do we do now?
Comment by CharlieKratos Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:23 pm
Anybody else notice the admin, in their chart, couldn’t even use objective non-biased language in describing the proposals and results? A number of the first column and last column comments use adjectives intended to revoke a certain point of view. These people just can’t stop campaigning / pushing ideology.
Comment by RNUG Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:26 pm
This Governor is single handedly destroying the finances of my family. Those of you trolls on here like Tone and others who get such glee out of this really take the cake. You seem to get pleasure out of seeing others lives destroyed. The whole attitude of some of you makes me absolutely sick.
Comment by Demoralized Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:27 pm
- CharlieKratos -
Wish I had better advice, but all I have is hopefully that 40% union household voters have learned something for March and November.
The past, welp, is the past.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:28 pm
afscme HAS NEGOITATED more contracts with administrations than Bruce has with unions. 40 years is not just an indicator it’s a trend. What’s different? The guy in office.
Comment by Union MAN Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:28 pm
RNUG: I noticed exactly the same thing. Not only that, but the only one union’s current (or previous) contract is mentioned. For example, they make a big deal about Teamsters agreed to a 40 hour week. What was it in the previous contract?
Comment by Skeptic Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:30 pm
Okay gurus, check my logic. I think I figured it out. Because AFSCME did not declare impasse it goes before ILRB which is controlled by Rauner. I don’t know if they can do this but it makes sense. They then say it’s not at impasse but send it to a third party arbitrator. THUS Rauner saves face and we get a contract BEFORE the primaries. PLEASE HELP with this theory. This is a face-saving move for both parties.
Comment by Honeybear Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:31 pm
Honeybear, if the Rauner administration wanted labor peace, they’ve kept negotiating. I’d like for things to play out that way, but I think it’s highly unlikely.
Comment by AC Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:38 pm
Honeybear- my guess is no. Rauner’s probably wanted this from the start. He gets to wait it out and offer up this “best and last.” It will have to pass the labor board, but like you mentioned, he has the board stacked.
Comment by Robert the 1st Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:39 pm
Dear AFSCME Members: Remember the stunt you pulled on Gov’s Day at the fair a couple of years ago? Karma says hello.
Comment by Give Me A Break Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:40 pm
===but send it to a third party arbitrator===
Keep in mind that Rauner vetoed the arbitration bill.
The crucial point may come if Rauner ever decides to impose his last and final offer. AFSCME has to either accept or strike.
Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:41 pm
So Rauner says that AFSCME has rejected each of his “core” proposals.
So how many AFSCME “core” proposals has Rauner accepted?
Comment by AlabamaShake Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:41 pm
Teamsters 40 hour work week is wrong–it’s still 37.5. Don’t know why this keeps showing up in the administration’s documents/letters.
Comment by Kippax Blue Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:43 pm
===The crucial point may come if Rauner ever decides to impose his last and final offer. AFSCME has to either accept or strike.===
“That’s, that.”
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:45 pm
Demoralized, your family is not alone. A whole lot of us are in this together.
Comment by There is power in a union... Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:48 pm
Charlie - If you’re in the union, talk to them about what legislators they need help with. Write a check to the union PAC or the candidates they want to help - any amount you can afford is ok. Something is better than nothing. If you can, volunteer for campaign activities in support of the preferred candidates. If you haven’t already, talk to your family and friends about what Rauner is about. You’d be surprised by the lack of understanding by those who only get their information from the rhetoric spewed by Rauner, editorial boards and other monied interests.
In Springfield, McCann is one who needs your help for March.
You still may lose out to the big money and misinformed, but you’ll at least feel good about your efforts.
Comment by Norseman Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:49 pm
-Keep in mind that Rauner vetoed the arbitration bill.-
I know but this would offer him a facesaving way out. It would be the supposedly independent ILRB that would send it to arbitration not Rauner, plausible deniability.
Comment by Honeybear Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:50 pm
Sadly I don’t think your theory is correct… But… I’ve been wrong before… It will take a little amount of time but eventually we Union members have a decision to make. We can either turn our backs on all the progress past negotiations have made to working conditions, wages and benefits or we can stand united up against a Governor bent on destroying Unions. I choose to vote for a strike when we get to that point. I really don’t want to but I’d rather fight for a win than just give in.
Comment by Triple fat Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:52 pm
Demoralized, many of us are with you in spirit.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:52 pm
Doesn’t it go to an arbitrator after the last best?
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:54 pm
Update 4 –Loving Christ..what is going on? Well I’m still going with my theory regardless of who pulled what trigger.
Comment by Honeybear Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:55 pm
If there is a lock out or strike ithe will be a tough decision for other State employee unions to honor the strike and not cross the picket line. AFSCME employees are in all agencies and levels of State government.
Comment by Huh? Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:55 pm
- Demomralized -, - Honeybear -, et al.
I feel for your personal plights. I really do. You all are in my thoughts.
Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:55 pm
Ok. Can anyone explain why AFSCME would reject a bargaining session next week? If you believe Rauner is out ti get you then every paycheck under the current contract is a win.
As Rich points out with Trovers statement is it possible this is a misunderstanding made worse by frayed nerves?
Comment by Mason born Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:56 pm
- Demoralized - Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:27 pm:
This Governor is single handedly destroying the finances of my family. Those of you trolls on here like Tone and others who get such glee out of this really take the cake. You seem to get pleasure out of seeing others lives destroyed. The whole attitude of some of you makes me absolutely sick.
I do feel sorry for you, if this is true. But you do realize that this state has been run into the ground by Madigan and his union goons for ages. Those of us in the private sector pay a lot of money to state and local governments and don’t get much in return. We are constantly being asked to cough up more and more so people get outrageous retirement benefits that the vast majority of us could not imagine exist.
Illinois is losing population, continuing on this path will only make it worse.
Comment by Tone Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:58 pm
Demoralized I understand what you are saying. But your union chose to try and embarrass PQ and openly stated many of your members would work to beat PQ and they did. Sorry but those are the facts.
Comment by Give Me A Break Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:58 pm
MB,
Or lance is misrepresenting the session scheduling process…
They are the ones who said they are done…
Comment by There is power in a union... Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:58 pm
==The administration notes that AFSCME has canceled next week’s scheduled bargaining session, not the Rauner people,==
Meetings have been cancelled and rescheduled by both parties for a variety of reasons, mostly logistics and staff availability. Unless I’m missing something here, it seems to be the difference between leaving one’s spouse to go to the store, and leaving one’s spouse.
Comment by AC Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 4:59 pm
Hopefully we’ll hear from Lynch about the Rauner assertion that AFSCME cancelled sessions before Rich hits the closed button.
Comment by Norseman Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 5:02 pm
Normally one side throws out session dates. Then the other side says “that sounds great” or “these don’t work so how about these?” That goes on until both sides have agreed on dates.
That is the process that lance is misrepresenting.
Comment by There is power in a union... Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 5:05 pm
Tone you do realize union state workers pay state income and property taxes. and you do realize that the income tax rate dropped from 5 to 3.75% last year right? you are paying less to the state, not more.
Comment by Poolguy Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 5:07 pm
The adult thing for Lynch and Rauner is to make contact and get a definitive answer. But hey why be adults.
Comment by Mason born Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 5:11 pm
I can’t believe Rauner would agree to an AFSCME contract unless his Runaground Agenda is passed or he (miraculously) drops the union-busting items.
Comment by cailleach Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 5:11 pm
Correction: to be clear, you are paying more to the state than you were before the tax hike. 3.75 is more than 3.
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 5:14 pm
“The adult thing for Lynch and Rauner is to make contact and get a definitive answer. But hey why be adults.”
Or maybe the governors office could be honest about the process…
Comment by There is power in a union... Friday, Jan 8, 16 @ 5:15 pm